Tractor mower



March`4, 1941. I

o'riginal Filed June 19, 1957 l Illll c. F. cRuMlsl ErAL TRACTOR MOWER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'March 4, 1941.

C, F. CRUMB ErAL TRACTOR MowER Original Filed June 19, 1937 `2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Reissues] Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRACTOR MOWER Original No. 2,166,942, dated `luly 25, 1939, Serial No. 149,170,4 June 19, .1937. Application for reissue October 30, 1940, Serial No. 363,583

12 Claims.

This invention relates to avtractor mower and more particularly to an improved frame construction for supporting a mower, and to an improved means for connecting the frame structure and 4mower to the tractor..

The present invention particularly adapts a mower to be supported by. a frame and connected to a tractor for operation over uneven terrain, such as is found in irrigated fields. These ields are usually surrounded by raised portionsnear their edges. As is well known to those skilled in the art, these raised edge portions or borders, las they are called, are provided as an aid to irrigation. However, when a mower is to be oper- 5 ated over the ileld, diiculty is experienced in obtaining a clean cut when the tractor is operated over the abrupt' rises created by the junction oi the borders with the eld. Therefore, it is desirable toprovide a frame structure connected to the tractor that will support cutting mechanism in a manner permitting free vertical movement thereof through rather wide limits as the tractor mower. is operated over the uneven terrain. It is also desirable to have a sturdy light weight frame structure, as it is found a mower supported by this type of frame is more suitable to the conditions encountered. Former designs of tractor connected mowers included frames that .were

adapted -for connection to only certain' types of v i0 tractors. These types of mowers usually4 combined a more or less complicated construction for connecting the frame structure to the drawbar of the tractor. However, it is found desirable to provide a universal mower of a type adapted to be x5 readily connected to any type of tractor.

The principal object of the invention is to pro-'- vide a new and improved frame structure for supporting a mower and which is constructed inA a manner suitable for attachment to the drawbar Y o or draft connection of any tractor.

' Animportant object of the invention is to provide a single frame member adapted to be supported at its forward en'd on the drawbar of the tractor .and at its rear end on a ground-engaging means sucli'as a caster wheel.

'Another important object is to provide a mower frame that can be connected at a single point to the draw-bar oftype of' tractor. .l

Another 'important object is to connectl the 50 frame tol thedrawbar in a manner permittingboth vertical andhorizontal movement with respect thereto.. .Still another object is to provide a single frame member tubular in construction and so designedV as lto support a 'mower ltherebelow'i'or free ver- (Cl. 56-25) I tical movement of the mower through rather wide limits as the tractor andA mower are operated over uneven terrain..

Still another object is to provide the connection between the frame and the tractor ldrawbar in such a manner that horizontal and vertical move' ment is permitted about substantially intersecting axes.

And still another object is to provide this connecting means as a bracket including both pivotal axes and adapted to be readily attached to the drawbar of any type tractor.

Briefly-and specifically, these and other objects are achieved by providing in a tractor mower a single frame member adapted to be connected to the drawbar or other draft connection of a tractor at a single point and carryingcutting mechanism therebelow. The frame is supported at its rear end on a caster wheel and at its forward end is pivotally connected to the drawbar of a 'tractor at a single point of connection for pivotal movement about both horizontal and vertical axes. The single frame member.- is preferably formed tubular in cross section and comprises two longitudinal halves secured together by welding. This frame extends diagonally rearwardly from its point of connection on the tractor drawbar, and the caster wheel carrying the rear end thereof is substantially in longitudinal alinement with the mower shoe. This construction provides for free vertical movement of the cutting mechanism through Arather wide limits as the tractor and caster wheel follow the contour of the ground.

A further understanding of the objects and desirable features of the invention may be had .from the following description taken inconjunction `with the-accompanying sheets of drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the new and improved frame structure connected tothe drawbar of a 40 tractor, only that portion of the tractor being shown as is necessary to illustrate'the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the same with the near wheel of the tractor removed; and,

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view' 45 taken on the line 3-3 of Figure z showing a pre'- ferred tubular vconstruction of the single frame member. l.

It will be understood that the tractor to which g the mower is connected may be of any type, the' 50 one herein disclosed being shown and described merely rfor the sake of illustration. .The tractor,

then, comprises a main body portion Ill having rear drive axles il extending from each side thereof and .carrying drive wheelsvl. Each axle "ally carries a coupling bar 3| I I is enclosed in an axle housing I3 secured at each side of the main body portion I0. 'I'he axle housings are provided with spaced attaching flanges I4. A drawbar or draft element l5 is rigidly carried by a pair of quickly attachable plates I6 secured to the inner attaching flange I4 on each axle housing I3. The tractor is provided with a central, longitudinally extending power take-off shaft I1 which is driven by the transmission of the tractor, not shown. A usual operators station or seat I8 is provided at the rear of the tractor.

A mower comprising a fname structure and cutting mechanism carried thereby is pivotally connected to the drawbar I5 at a single point of connection for movement about both a horizontal and a vertical axis. 'I'he frame structure of the mower includes a single vframe member 2|), preferably formed tubular in cross section, and comprises two longitudinal halves U- shaped ih cross section and secured together alongtheir edges at their open sides preferably by welding. This construction provides a sturdy light weight frame member.

' At its forward end the frame member 20 is provided with a bracket 2| in the form of a casting which is secured by a vertical pivot pin 22 to a second bracket 23. A third bracket 24 is rigidly secured to the drawbar I5 of the tractor and is pivotally connected on .a horizontal axis to the bracket V23 by a pivot pin 25. At its rear end. the single frame member 20 is provided with a cast bracket 26 in which is journaled an axle 21.01' a caster wheel A28. In this manner, the frame member 2li is pivotally connected to theV drawbar i5 of the Atractor for horizontal movement about the4 pivot pin 22 and for vertical movement about the horizontal pivot pin 25. The pin 25 is of suihcient transverse extent to support the Aframe member 20 against twisting about its own longitudinal axis, thereby enabling said frame to carry the cutting mechanism without additional support on the drawbar or on the grolmd.

Mowercutting mechanism is carried by the frame member 20 and includes a secondary frame structure 29 rigidly secured as by welding to the member 20. bracket 3D is rigidly supported on 'the frame structure 29 at its stubbleward side vand pivoton a longitudinally extending horizontal axis. The coupling bar-3l is bent at right angles and extends transversely of the frame member 20 having rockably carried at its grassward end a yoke 32. A cutter bar 33, movably carrying a. knife 33a and supported on 'a shoe 33b, is hingedly associated with the yoke 32 and is provided with lifting linkage 34. A transverse rockshaft extending crank arm 36 is rockably carried by the frame structure 29 and by a bracket plate 31' secured to the frame member ward side. The rearward end is operably connected to the lifting linkage 34 20' at its 'grassfor raising the cutter bar 33, as will be presently Forwardly of the rockshaft 35, the supporting structure 29 carries lifting mechanism including a lifting lever 38 and a quadrant member 39. A link 4U operably connects the liftinglever 38 to an upstanding arm 4.I rigidly carried by the mckshaft 35. Forward movement' of the lifting lever rocks the shaft 35 and-raises the cutter bar- 33 for. .transport or other purposes.

'It willbe noted that the-upper periphery of the and 44 are Within easy reach of A comparatively large, cast aforesaid vertical 35 having a rearwardly i ofthe arm. 36'

lifting quadrant 39 is continuous, being forme: with but a single notch 42. In this manner, thi mower cutting mechanism is permitted to iioai freely, independently of the frame member 20 a: the mower shoe 33h follows the contour of the ground.A However, the lever 38 may be locked in position when the cutter bar 33 is raised1 by means of the notch 42 cooperating with latch means 43 on the lever.

Substantially in alinement with the lifting mechanism, the secondary frame structure l29 carries a lever 44 cooperating with a quadrant 45 and connected by a link 46 to the yoke 32 for adjusting. the tilt of the shoe 33h and cutter bar 33. It will .be noted that both. levers 38 the operators station or seat I8 onthe tractor. A balancing or helper spring 4l is connected'at one end to an arm on the rockshaft 35 and at the other end to an angle bracket 48 carried on the cast bracket 2i at the axis of the pivot 22 for aiding lthe lift mechanism in raising the cutter bar 33.

A releasable latch means, or its equivalent, is provided to maintain the 'cutting mechanism in opertive position and comprises a release draftbar 49 releasably connected at one end tothe drawbar I5 and at the other end to the yoke 32. This latch means may v construction and comprises -an overload release connection which is utilized to permit, the cutting mechanism to be swung back about the pivot 22 when the cutter bar 33 strikes an obstruction, as shown in dotted line position in Figure 1. j

The secondary frame structure 29 carries driving mechanism for reciprocating the knife 33a of the cutting mec nism.' This ldriving mechanism is enclosed in a; housing 50 andls connected by flexible, telescoping shafting 5|` to the power take-olf shaft Il ofthe tractor. is driven thereby and is provided with an eccenknife 33a.

From the above description, it will be apparent that an improved frame structure has been provided which may be readily attached to any and is particularly adapted for operation under conditions where the ground as the lifting mechanism is locked onlywhen the cutter bar 33 is raised, there can be no ini terference of the lifting mechanism with Athe It will be readily apparent that the preferred .7.

, `vided also permits construction illustrated and described will permit operation of the mower under adverse conditions, thus insuring a cleancut with no remaining standing crop.

attachment of the mower to type and h'as been designed toward that end. It will be understood that changes in detail, such as utilizing draft Iconnections other than a drawbar, and in any other .10 part of the construction may be made without detracting from the advantages obtainable with the above described preferred construction.

a tractor of any These and other changes and modifications mayY be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as lowing claims.

What -is claimed is:

1. In a tractor mower in includes a drawbar, the combination with'the drawbar of a mower comprising a rearwardly and diagonally extending frame and cutting mechanism carried thereby, said frame comprising a single member, ground engaging means for supporting the rear pivotal means for Asupporting and connecting the forward end ofthe member on and to the drawbar. said pivotal means constituting the sole support for the forward end of the frame and comprising a transverse pivot pin and a Avertical pivot pin pivotally interconnected and providing for both 'horizontal and vertical movement of the frame with respect to the drawbar.

2. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a power take-off shaft, the combination of a mower comprising a single rearwardly disposed frame member and cutting mechanism carried thereby, means carried by the forward end of the frame member for pivotally connecting the frame to the tractor, said means providing the sole support for the forward end of the frame and comprising a joint formed'of a pair of yoke members connected respectively to the tractor and to the' frame member and interconnected on vertical and horizontal pivot axes, and driving means for driving the cutting mechanism from the power take-off shaft.

3. In a tractor mower, the combination of a single tubular frame member extending rearwardly and diagonally from the tractor.- a caster wheel supporting the rear end of said frame member, mower cutting mechanism carried by said frame, pivotal means connecting the forward end of the frame to the tractor and constituting the sole support for said forward end,

and means for holding said cutting mechanism in operative position.

4. In a tractor 4mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, the combination with the drawbar of a single tubular frame pivotally conoo nected to said drawbar at a single point of connectio'n'- and extending rearwardly and'diagonally therefrom, said frame member comprising two longitudinal halves secured together by welding, acaster wheel movably carried in a bracket se- 65 cured to the frame member for supporting the rear end of said frame member,` mower cutting mechanism carried by said frame member, and means for holding said cutting mechanism in operative-position. g

70 5. In a tractor mowerin which the tractor includes a rearwardly extending power take-olf shaft and a drawbar, the combination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a rearwardly and diagonally extending frame and cutting 'l5 mechanism carried thereby and including drive The construction proindicated in the fol-vwhich the tractor end of the member, and

mechanism, a caster wheel supporting the rear end of theframe, means for pivotally supporting and connecting the forward end of theframe -on and to the drawbar for movement of the frame with respect to the drawbar about both a horizontal and a vertical axis, said means comprising a joint formed of a pair of yoke members connected respectively to the tractor and to the frame memberv and interconnected on vertical and horizontal pivot axes, said vertical axis being located substantially in vertical alinement with the center-lineiof the power take-off shaft, flexible drive shafting connecting the power takeoi shaft and the mower drive mechanism, and means for holding'the aforesaid cuttingv mecha.- nism in operative position.

6. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a rearwardly extending power take-olf shaft and a drawbar, the combination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a rearwardly and diagonally extending frame and cutting mechanism carried thereby and including drive mechanism, a caster wheel supporting the rear end of the frame, means for pivotally supporting and connecting the forward end of the frame on and to the drawbar for movement of the frame with respect to the drawbar about both a horizontalvand vertical axis, said means comprising a joint formed of a pair of yoke members connected respectively to the tractor and to the vframe member and interconnected on vertical and horizontal pivot axes, said horizontal axis being located substantially in horizontal alinement with the center of the caster wheel, iiexible drive shafting connecting the power take-off shaft and the mower drive mechanism, and means for holding the aforesaid cutting mecha- 4nism inoperative position.

'7. In a tractor mower in which the tractor yincludes a drawbar, the combination with the drawbar of a single frame member pivotally connected at its forward .end to the drawbar. for movement of said frame member about both a horizontal and a vertical axis with respect to the drawbar, said means comprising a joint formed oi'- a pair of yoke members connected respectively to the tractor and to the frame member and interconnected on vertical and horizontal pivot axes, said frame member extending lrearwardly and diagonally from the -drawbar, a

ground engaging means supporting the rear end of said frame, cutting mechanism carried by the frame for vertical movement with respect thereto, and a balancing spring connected at one end tothe cutting mechanism and at its other end to a point substantially in vertical alinement with the aforesaid vertical axis.

8. In a tractor mower, the combination of a rearwardly extending frame comprising a single frame member and cutting mechanism carried thereby, a single rear ground-engaging meanssupporting the rear end of the frame, an-d forward supporting means carrying the forward end of the frame on the tractor, said frame being supported solely by the aforesaidmeans and having'a longitudinal twisting axis extending between the aforesaid pointaon the tractor and the point of engagement between the rear ground engaging means and the ground. said forward means including a pivot on a transverse horizontal axis resisting the aforesaid twisting of the frame.

, 9. In a tractor mower, the combination of a frame and cutting mechanism carried thereby, said frame comprising a single member extendend of said frame.

10. In a tractor mower, the combination of a mower comprising a frame extending rearwardly from the tractor, a means connecting and supporting the forward end of the frame on the tractor, said means comprising a transverse hinge pin carried by the tractor, a connecting member carried by said hinge, and a vertical hinge pin connecting the member and the forward end of the frame and forming a joint providing for movement of the frame with respect to the trac` tor about both a transverse and a vertical axis about the pins respectively, said axes substantially interesting, cutting mechanism carried by said frame, and releasable means normally holding the cutting mechanism lin operative position.

11. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, the combination of a mower comprising a frame extending rearwardly and i diagonally fromA the tractor, cutting mechanism carried by the frame, ground engaging means supporting the rear end of the frame, and a. means pivotally connecting the forward end of.

l 21,734 ing rearwardly from the tractor, a single caster comprising a transverse hinge pin carried at opposite ends bythe drawbar, a connecting member pivotally carried by an intermediate portion or said pin, and a vertical hinge pin pivotally interconnecting the member and the forward end of the frame.

12. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a. power shaft, the combination of a mower comprising `a frame extending rearwardly and diagonally from the tractor, cutting mechanism carried by the' frame, ground engaging means supporting the `rear end of the frame, a hinge pin disposed transversely at the rear of the tractor, means connecting the pin to the tractor and providing a bearing surface over a substantial transverse extent of the pin, a member pivotally carried by said pin and engaging a substantial transverse extent o! said pin for pivotal movement'with respect to the tractor, said member including a substantial vertical bearing portion, a vertical hinge pin carried in said portion land connected to the forward end of the frame, driving mechanism on the frame for driving the cutting mechanism, and means connecting the drivingmechanism and the tractor power shaft.

, CHARLES F. CRUMB.

SAMUEL E. HILBLOM.

the frame tothe tractor drawbar. said means 

